
Planet Money Summer School
Economics is a game you should know how to play. And once you get the fundamental concepts, you start to see it everywhere: the news, the supermarket and even your dating life. So it's time to learn the rules. Planet Money Summer School is a crash course in economics for your ears. See the world through the lens of an economist and you'll start to feel a little less overwhelmed when making financial decisions. And if you're in front of the classroom? Teachers, this is made for you, too. Let us be your breezy and fun companion to assigned readings. We'll even assign the homework (and spare you the groans). Go beyond summer school and stay up-to-date on the economy with the latest episodes of the Planet Money podcast.Got money on your mind? Try Planet Money+ — a new way to support the show you love, get a sponsor-free feed of the podcast, *and* get access to bonus content. A subscription also gets you access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School, both without interruptions.
Latest episodes

Aug 28, 2024 • 33min
History 8: Big ideas and life lessons from Marx, Keynes and Smith and more
Join economic titans Adam Smith, a founder of capitalism; Karl Marx, the critiquer of capitalist society; and John Maynard Keynes, pioneer of macroeconomic thought, as they delve into vital lessons from economics. They discuss the dual narratives of human progress and environmental crisis over the last fifty years. From food security advancements to the fight for social justice, each guest brings valuable insights on wealth disparity and innovative economic theories, making it a journey through history and philosophy.

28 snips
Aug 21, 2024 • 35min
History 7: The Great Depression, the New Deal and how it changed our economy
Delve into the transformative era of the Great Depression as it reshapes government and business relations. Discover the catastrophic stock market crash of 1929 and hear personal tales of struggle amid rampant unemployment. Learn how FDR's bold decisions shifted the economic landscape by dropping the gold standard, sparking confidence in banks. Explore the rise of labor unions through pivotal strikes and their lasting impact on wages and workforce empowerment. Finally, grasp the essence of fiat currency and Keynesian economics in modern financial stability.

34 snips
Aug 14, 2024 • 36min
History 6: China, Taiwan and how nations grow rich
Explore the dramatic economic transformation of China and Taiwan from agricultural poverty to booming economies. Discover the pivotal Xiaogang experiment that sparked a shift toward capitalism in China. Learn how government strategies and individual incentives propelled growth, with Taiwan emerging as a semiconductor leader. Delve into the contrasting industrial policies and the cultural factors driving success in East Asia. Gain insights into the lessons these nations provide for future economic development.

33 snips
Aug 7, 2024 • 37min
History 5: 250 years of trade history in three chapters
Delve into 250 years of trade history, exploring everything from Adam Smith's revolutionary ideas in 'The Wealth of Nations' to the complexities of modern trade debates. Discover how trade shaped the early U.S. economy and the rising tensions between free trade and protectionism. Hear about Cordell Hull's advocacy for free trade as a means for global peace and the impact of tariffs on international commerce. Unpack the evolving views on globalization and the challenges faced by communities today, alongside the transformative effects of the World Trade Organization.

19 snips
Jul 31, 2024 • 37min
History 4: Banker vs president and the birth of the dollar
Dive into the tumultuous early days of the U.S. economy! Discover the fierce battle between President Andrew Jackson and banker Nicholas Biddle. Explore the chaotic landscape of over 8,000 forms of currency before the U.S. dollar took shape. Learn how the Civil War led to a standardized currency and the birth of national banks. Unravel the historical patterns of economic booms and busts that echo through to modern times, all while confronting the age-old dilemma of centralized control versus financial chaos.

Jul 26, 2024 • 34min
History 3: The first stock and perpetual life
Discover the origins of the stock market in 17th-century Amsterdam, where small businesses transformed into trading giants. The episode dives into the life of Isaac Lemaire and his controversial financial tactics, including the invention of short selling. Learn how middlemen shaped early market dynamics and how Dutch innovations fueled modern finance. Explore the dual nature of financial exuberance and its effects on market stability. Uncover the significance of perpetual bonds and their lasting impact on economic trust.

17 snips
Jul 17, 2024 • 33min
History 2: The golden ages of labor and looms
Explore the evolving power dynamics between workers and bosses throughout history. Journey back to 1347 Sicily, where the Black Death unexpectedly empowered laborers with better wages and working conditions. Then, shift to the Industrial Revolution, where the Luddites rose against machines threatening their jobs, showcasing the struggle of skilled labor in the face of rapid technological advancement. This discussion highlights the complexities of labor's past and its implications for the present and future.

37 snips
Jul 11, 2024 • 34min
History 1: Money and the stone coin at the bottom of the sea
Embark on a journey to uncover the origins of money, from giant stone coins on Yap Island to banking innovations in 18th-century France. Discover how these unique stones evolved into a medium of exchange, reflecting community values and identities. Dive into the chaotic life of John Law, a gambler turned financial revolutionary, whose ambitions fledged a paper currency regime. Explore how the abstract nature of currency shapes societies, power, and economic systems throughout history.

Aug 30, 2023 • 32min
MBA 8: Graduation and the Guppy Tank
Congratulations to the Planet Money Summer School Class of 2023! Today, you become masters of business administration... spelled with lower-case letters for legal purposes. Your diploma is waiting for you just across the stage.But first, there's one final skill to impart: the pitch. We wouldn't be doing our job as a half-baked parody of a business school if we didn't leave you with the confidence and opportunity to stand in front of an investor and ask for money. We understand what you ambitious business school graduates really want is the chance to launch something and get rich.So we're combining graduation with a little test of ideas, a showdown of startups, a competition of companies. We are going to put our own spin on a pitch competition like you see on Shark Tank. We hear from five listeners with real ideas for startups.Can they make a successful pitch? What will investors be looking for in their presentation? Can they come prepared with persuasive total addressable market analyses? Who will have the sharpest customer pain points to solve? We shall see.Our business expert will give us a rare glimpse into the mind of investors and what they're looking for. Only one graduate will be crowned the winner as this year's valedictorian. If you want to get your diploma right now, take the 2023 Planet Money Summer School Quiz to earn your diploma!If you share it on social media, tag us so we can celebrate with you.Find all episodes of Planet Money Summer School here.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Aug 23, 2023 • 34min
MBA 7: Negotiating and the empathetic nibble
How do you get the best deal? How do you know you're getting the best deal? Whether you're talking down the price of a car or talking up your salary, you don't have to be a jerk to get what you want. Negotiations can be win-win – if you know what to ask for and how to grow the pie.We have three stories in today's episode about how to negotiate tactically. First, a hostage negotiator tries to buy a car. Will he get far? Then, one man's encounter at the airline ticket booth may inform how you respond to your next job offer. Finally, how to avoid a food fight and make a deal that benefits everybody.We'll learn about something called BATNA, or best alternative to a negotiated agreement, which can tell you when to stand firm and when to walk away. We'll find out how to shift our thinking about what success can look like in a negotiation, and shift your counterpart's thinking too.Come learn the techniques of expert negotiators in the penultimate episode of Planet Money Summer School, MBA edition. Next week: Graduation! So, you have one week to negotiate the cost of your cap and gown.Our Summer School series is hosted by Robert Smith and produced by Max Freedman. Our project manager is Julia Carney. This episode was edited by our executive producer, Alex Goldmark, and engineered by James Willetts. The show was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez.Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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